SBI family AU

Painful Conversations

Techno felt his side burn as he sat in the snowy park. They had just left a piano competition and Tubbo had qualified for the second bracket. Tubbo and Tommy ran past him, Niki sitting down holding two cups.

"I got you tea instead of- Techno? Does your side hurt?" Niki looked at him concerned.

"A little bit. It's honestly fine, nothing really bad," Techno smiled and Niki frowned. He sighed as she shoved a pill into his hand, "Niki-"

"Take it, the boys are here."

Techno sighed and took the pill with his tea, "I'm starting to feel like you're just drugging me."

"Yeah right. If that were true then it'd be a pain to drag you home," Niki smiled as Techno laughed. Her smile quickly faded as he flinched and doubled over.

"I'm fine- really- It's just passing pain," Techno straightened and smiled at her, "See? All better."

Niki frowned, "I don't believe you."

"I'm fine Niki, really-" Techno cut himself off as pain stabbed through him more ferociously, "Ok- maybe I'm not fine-"

She quickly got up and called the boys, panicking as Techno stifled a yell. She called an Uber and eased him in with the help of the boys.

Tubbo sat next to him and took Techno's hand, looking at him concerned, "Dad?"

"I'm fine, Tubs. Don't worry," Techno smiled at him and squeezed his hand. Tommy scoffed next to him but stayed silent.

"I told you to stop drinking, it's not good for you!" Tubbo frowned and Techno sighed.

"I know, Tubs. I'm sorry," Techno ruffled Tubbo's hair.

"You keep saying that, but you don't actually change... Dad, I'm worried about you," Tubbo leaned against him and Techno wrapped his arm around him.

"I'll be fine, Tubs. Don't worry so much about me, ok? I'm supposed to worry over you. Just keep being happy for me and I'll be fine," Techno looked at Niki and immediately looked away from her glare.

"He's always been like this Tubbo. He probably won't change and he'll end up just dying from it," Tommy said as he looked out the window, "So go ahead and cry, but it's a lost cause. Wilbur's fucked him up too much."

The car fell into an uncomfortable silence. Tubbo looked at Tommy then scooted closer into Techno, causing the pain in his side to flare up again. Niki quietly scrolled through her phone, looking back at the trio in the backseat every few minutes.

"I'll win it," Tubbo said and looked at Techno, "I'll win the competition and that'll make you better."

Techno smiled, "I'm sure you will, Tubs."